POSTAL NEWS
No 82 -2018
Formulated by UNI Apro Post and Logistics Sector
Our Union Will Deliver Pension and Social Assistance Cheques, and Ensure Safety of Live Animals in the Event of a Lockout or Strike. October 10, 2018.
Swiss Post begins building new regional parcel center in Vétroz (Valais). October 8, 2018.
The parcel has finally been passed. October 8, 2018.
Hermes Likely To Introduce Electric Vans Nationwide. October 5, 2018.
Royal Mail launches app to help consumers manage deliveries. October 5, 2018.
Our Union Will Deliver Pension and Social Assistance Cheques, and Ensure Safety of Live Animals in the Event of a Lockout or Strike
October 10 2018
Our public post office distributes government cheques that are a fundamental part of the social safety net. We do not want pensioners and those with low-income to suffer if the union is locked out or forced to strike. After all, our dispute over contract issues should be directed at Canada Post, not the most vulnerable members of our society. In addition, your union wants to make sure that live animals are not trapped in the mail system during a work disruption, as they were in 2011.
CUPW has therefore negotiated two agreements with Canada Post to ensure the delivery of many government cheques and the safety of live animals in the event of a lockout or strike. One agreement covers Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers (RSMC) members and the other is for Urban Operations members.
Highlights of the agreements:
There would be up to two national days of delivery each month.
Your local would recruit volunteers as required.
As in 1997, 2011 and 2016, volunteers would receive a $50.00 honorarium. Legal experts have advised us that the honorarium may be necessary to protect members who file workers' compensation claims.
RSMC volunteers would also receive 52 cents per kilometer driven.
The agreements are very similar to those we signed in 1997, 2011 and 2016, and the one negotiated but not used in 2003. In 2016, we added the provision relating to live animals.
Members who sort or deliver cheques while their local is locked out or on strike would be able to use these days to qualify for strike pay.
In the event that a lockout or strike sets these agreements in motion, please consider donating any honorarium received to charity. CUPW does not provide services during work disruptions for the money.
Source : https://www.cupw.ca/en
Swiss Post begins building new regional parcel center in Vétroz (Valais)
October 8, 2018
Construction of the new regional parcel center in Vétroz (Valais) began today with the symbolic groundbreaking ceremony. This regional parcel center enables Swiss Post to invest in the Canton of Valais and demonstrates its commitment to the country’s peripheral regions. Two further parcel centers are planned for Cadenazzo (Ticino) and Untervaz (Graubünden), which will allow parcels to be processed directly within the region. This will shorten transport times and ensure that parcels from other centers are processed more quickly.
In May 2020, Swiss Post will start operations at the second of the three new regional parcel centers: the Botza site in Vétroz, covering 25,000 m2. The general contractor is Roux Courtage Immobilier Sàrl. Vétroz was chosen as the location due to its central position in the Canton of Valais and good motorway access. An additional advantage of this site is that it is located on an industrial estate without any residential zones nearby. The facility will have a sorting capacity of 8,000 parcels per hour. The logistics centers in Bex, Brig, Siders and Sion will be merged into this single center, with staff from these facilities transferring to the new site.
Shorter distances – faster consignment processing
Vétroz is one of three decentralized locations envisaged for completion by 2020. The new regional parcel centers will be linked by a direct transport network. This means that parcels sorted and delivered in Valais will no longer need to take a detour via Daillens (Vaud). “This investment of over CHF 50 million is highly significant,” says Ulrich Hurni, CEO of Swiss Post. “The direct transport network will relieve strain not only on existing parcel centers, but also on the transport infrastructure throughout Switzerland. Vétroz will be linked to existing infrastructure via direct connections. This will enhance the quality of service experienced by our business customers by allowing longer posting times.” For Valais Cantonal Councillor Christophe Darbellay, Head of the Department of Economic Affairs and Education, the merger of logistics locations in Vétroz satisfies the growing demands on efficiency due to the rapid increase in parcel volumes: “This investment in a new sorting center will enhance the quality of public services in our canton.”
Swiss Post as the driving power behind innovation in the Swiss parcels market
Swiss Post recognized the potential of online retail many years ago and adapted its logistics business with this in mind. It has continually expanded its range of parcel services over the past few years by advancing innovations in the Swiss parcels market. Last year, Swiss Post processed almost 130 million parcels, which represents growth of 6.2% year-on-year. The construction of new regional parcel centers in Vétroz, Cadenazzo (Ticino) and Untervaz (Graubünden) by 2020 is an important step in meeting growing parcel volumes and customer requirements, now and in the years to come. Swiss Post also plans to open further parcel centers in other regions, but the number and location of the new centers have not yet been finalized.
Source : https://www.post.ch/en/about-us/company/media/press-releases/2018
The parcel has finally been passed
October 8, 2018
Pass My Parcel’s future has been decided: it will become part of DHL Parcel UK. Will this make the network more competitive? And who is the wildcard in the UK PUDO segment? Ian Kerr (Postal Hub Podcast) and Marek Różycki (Last Mile Experts) analyze the announcement and the sector.
It’s official: Deutsche Post DHL (via its UK Mail subsidiary) is taking over the Pass My Parcel PUDO network in the UK. UK Mail is also changing – it is now DHL Parcel UK. And that might be a hint of what is in store for the Pass My Parcel (PMP) network.
So, what can we expect?
Size of network
DHL Parcel UK’s German parent operates a significant domestic network of post offices (almost all of which are partner-operated), a 3,400-strong parcel locker network, and a massive network of PUDO points, called Paketshops.
Paketshops are simple PUDO points, co-located with a host business. There are about 10,000 Paketshops across Germany, giving Deutsche Post DHL an unrivaled reach.
The Paketshops can handle failed first-time deliveries as well as click-and-collect, so the Germans know a thing or two about out-of-home delivery.
Technology
One of the striking things about Paketshops is the simple technology solution. Each Paketshop has two devices: a cell phone that functions as a barcode scanner and sends scan data back to Deutsche Post’s track-and-trace systems via a mobile data connection; and a compact printer. These two devices take up minimal space on the Paketshop counter.
The counter technology solution is very easy to set up, with minimal operator training required. Also, once fully interfaced with UK Mail, PMP will not need to spend time and money interfacing with each individual e-commerce client.
Competition
Germany is a competitive delivery market, with other carriers harboring ambitions to rival Deutsche Post DHL’s network in terms of reach, density and ubiquity.
Similarly, the UK delivery market is competitive, with PUDO networks scrambling for supremacy and strong players in the form of Yodel/Collect+ and PayPoint – which, following its conscious uncoupling from Yodel, means it could go carrier agnostic. Then of course there’s the Post Office’s own national network.
UPS currently has a modest PUDO network, but will they settle for that? After all, UPS was one of the first to enter this area with its acquisition of Kiala (then a network of about 7,000 PUDOs in Benelux, France and Spain) in 2012.
Then there’s Hermes and its substantial B2C proposition in the UK, including the second-largest PUDO network and thousands of lifestyle couriers – and it’s for sale! This is set to disrupt the balance of power in UK and Germany, whoever buys them.
As for FedEx/TNT, who were never really strong in B2C, who knows?
Branding
DHL is a strong brand and is arguably better suited to parcel delivery than Smiths News Trading Limited, the newspaper and magazine wholesaler which previously owned PMP. Having said that, some PUDO networks are pushing to become carrier agnostic, which is a smart move in our view. If PMP becomes DHL then that will be harder to achieve.
Conclusion
It is good news for newsagents offering PMP that the service will be maintained, and customers will benefit from the continuing density of PUDOs. Whether this will be good news for DHL will depend on how they manage this business – including its IT systems.
Could DHL Parcel UK have the right relationships and experience to build PMP into a real force? Critical mass is a key issue for any PUDO network and here PMP’s new owners should be able to help.
So it looks like the UK could become a battleground between the three major European posts: La Poste/DPD, Royal Mail/Post Office, and Deutsche Post DHL, with UPS and Hermes the wildcards. Then of course there’s Amazon, waiting in the wings. Good news for e-commerce customers, and exciting times for the UK PUDO sector.
Source : https://www.postalandparceltechnologyinternational.com
Hermes Likely To Introduce Electric Vans Nationwide
October 5, 2018
Hermes could introduce electric vans fleets across the country according to motortransport.co.uk, after successfully running a fleet of them in London during the past months.
The parcels firm has had 32 Nissan eNV200 vans working on multi-drop deliveries within London’s Congestion Charge zone for the last two months.
Speaking to motortransport.co.uk Hugo Martin, director of legal and public affairs at Hermes, said there is “quite a high likelihood” that the company will now bring electric vans into use in other UK cities.
“We know that the London mayor’s transport strategy is clearly leading the way in the clean air debate. Setting very strict requirements for logistics companies like ours delivering into central London.
“There’s conversations going on in Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, Southampton – so there’s lots of areas in the country that are starting to look at the clean air issue, so we do think that this is a model that might well get replicated,” he said.
Source : https://postandparcel.info/98488/news
Royal Mail launches app to help consumers manage deliveries
October 5, 2018
Royal Mail’s new mobile app helps consumers to easily manage their Royal Mail deliveries
The app provides the capabilities to track items, book redeliveries, find Customer Service Points and look up addresses
More enhancements will be made to the app over the coming months to make it even easier for recipients to manage their deliveries
Royal Mail has launched a new mobile app to help consumers manage their deliveries more effectively. The app is now available for download for free on both the App Store and Google Play store.
The new app enables consumers to easily track their items from their smartphone. If a reference number is provided, recipients can check the progress of their deliveries.
There is also an option to book a redelivery, if it has not been possible to deliver an item. Recipients can arrange for a redelivery to their address, neighbour or a local Post Office and this can all be booked via the app.
Within the app, users can enter a postcode to find the nearest Customer Service Point including address, opening hours and facilities. There is also a postcode and address finder for users unsure of an address. By entering in the postcode or part of the address, Royal Mail will help to find the full address details.
More enhancements will be made to the app over the coming months to make it even easier for recipients to manage their deliveries.
A spokesperson for Royal Mail said “The new Royal Mail app is helping recipients to manage their deliveries more effectively, providing all the information they need at their fingertips. We will be looking to load the app with even more functionality over the coming months. This latest enhancement is part of a programme of innovation making Royal Mail’s services more accessible, convenient and digitally enabled for all.”
Source : https://www.royalmailgroup.com/en/press-centre/press-releases
POSTAL NEWS
No 83 -2018
Formulated by UNI Apro Post and Logistics Sector
State-sanctioned wage dumping in the postal market. October 11, 2018.
Toshiba unveils robotic logistics system at POST-EXPO 2018. October 10, 2018.
US Mail Is #NotForSale: Postal Workers Nationwide Stand Together Against Trump's Privatization Plan. October 9, 2018.
UPU celebrates postal development on World Post Day. October 9, 2018.
Landmark Agreement Enables Australia Post To Continue To Provide Banking Services. October 8, 2018.
State-sanctioned wage dumping in the postal market
October 11, 2018
The minimum wages set by PostCom are state-approved wage dumping and will fuel wage dumping in the postal market. With the adoption of these minimum standards, PostCom itself disqualifies itself. It does not take the protection of employees into account, but actually provides a boost with the "dumping minimum wage" and poor working conditions. The regulator should therefore delegate the authority to establish minimum standards to a tripartite commission.
PostCom is today communicating the entry into force of the Regulation on minimum standards for working conditions in the postal sector. The regulatory authority of the postal market sets a uniform minimum wage of CHF 18.27. This is far too deep and attacks today's industry-standard wages. Although PostCom claims to have involved the social partners. There was indeed a consultation, but the views and concerns of the unions were not taken into account in any way.
The methods used by PostCom to establish sector standard practice are not in line with the accepted minimum wage methodology, as used for example in tripartite commissions. This has repeatedly signaled syndicom, but was always ignored by the authority.
Defining standards rather than legitimizing low wages
Although PostCom relies on reliable and comprehensible figures. But she interprets this wrong. It is based on setting a minimum wage at the lowest level in the industry. Instead, PostCom should, in accordance with its mandate, set minimum standards in the industry, those that meet industry standards. And standard does not mean underpinning the lowest pay level.
Labor refusal
PostCom refuses to take their order seriously. It legitimizes the lowest wages paid in the industry. This has fatal consequences for the wage development of this industry. In particular, it enables new competitors who are already announcing themselves in this growth market to compete for wages. In addition, PostCom proves that it has not understood the function of "industry custom" and disqualifies itself.
The union syndicom will combat these arbitrary minimum wages and defend against the fact that competition in the postal market is carried out on the back of the workers.
Source : https://syndicom.ch/aktuell/artikel
Toshiba unveils robotic logistics system at POST-EXPO 2018.
October 10, 2018.
Toshiba Infrastructure Systems & Solutions Corporation (TISS) is demonstrating its horizontal multi-axis SCARA (Selective Compliance Assembly Robot Arm) robot at POST-EXPO 2018.
The robot is an automated packet induction system with functionality of random picking, address side detection. It comprises of an intelligent, horizontal multi-axis automated induction system that operates without any need for prior motion programming and teaching.
Robotic logistics systems are in increasingly high demand in the form of solutions for dealing with the surge in deliveries of small parcels. This is the result of continuing worldwide growth in the e-commerce market.
Hidetaka Kojima, senior fellow, security and automation systems division at Toshiba, said, “SCARA uses AI technology within its software to help it operate. The robot has the capability to pick up all shaped and sized items, lifting them using the same technology utilized by car manufacturers.”
TISS’s experience and engineering capabilities in areas including image recognition, mechatronics, control regulation and IT systems, have positioned the company as a global supplier of postal automation systems. TISS is now enhancing robotic systems to support postal and logistics systems and is directing resources to address the challenges faced by the industry.
Source : https://www.postalandparceltechnologyinternational.com/news/expo
US Mail Is #NotForSale: Postal Workers Nationwide Stand Together Against Trump's Privatization Plan
October 09, 2018
"Our postal system has never belonged to any president, any political party, or any company. It's belonged to the people of this country."
As the United States Postal Service (USPS) closed on Monday for a national holiday celebrated by many municipalities as Indigenous Peoples Day, workers across the country held a day of action to protest President Donald Trump's proposal to privatize the postal service.
Under the proposal—unveiled in June as part of a 32-point plan (pdf) to significantly reorganize the federal government—USPS would "transition to a model of private management and private or shared ownership." The White House argued that "freeing USPS to more fully negotiate pay and benefits rather than prescribing participation in costly federal personnel benefit programs, and allowing it to follow private sector practices in compensation and labor relations, could further reduce costs."
Critics warn that such a transition would not only negatively impact service but also bring awful consequences for postal workers, who demonstrated on their day off in cities across the United States on Monday to tell the president that USPS is #NotForSale.
"Postal workers are rallying to urge lawmakers to stop the selling off of the public postal service for private profit—and to remind everyone the Postal Service is yours," Julie Bates, a 22-year postal worker, wrote last week.
Pointing to similar moves by other countries—including the United Kingdom—as cautionary tales, Bates warned that if USPS is sold off to private interests, the public should anticipate "higher prices, slower delivery, and an end to universal, uniform, and affordable service to every corner of the country."
While recognizing that the national mail service has faced problems in recent years, as Bates explained:
The truth is that the USPS's problems were largely created by Congress.
A bipartisan 2006 law, the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act, mandated that the USPS pre-fund future retiree health benefits 75 years into the future. That means we have to fund retirement benefits for postal employees who haven't even been born yet.
It's a crushing burden that no other agency or company—public or private—is required to meet, or could even survive.
Some Democratic members of Congress—including Sen. Dick Durbin (Ill.) as well as Reps. Grace Meng (N.Y.) and Dwight Evans (Penn.)—joined demonstrations in their states :
"Our postal system is older than the country itself. It was a vital component of our country's public good then. It still is today," Bates concluded. "And along the way, one fundamental fact has always been true: Our postal system has never belonged to any president, any political party, or any company. It's belonged to the people of this country.” Source : https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/10/09
UPU celebrates postal development on World Post Day
October 9, 2018
The Universal Postal Union (UPU) today presented awards to the top-ranking countries in its comparative development index, with Switzerland taking first prize in an awards ceremony hosted at UPU’s Berne, Switzerland, headquarters on World Post Day.
The Integrated Index for Postal Development (2IPD), which was released earlier this year, is a comparative index providing an overview of postal development around the world, using UPU’s unparalleled collection of postal big data to create a ranking of 173 countries. It benchmarks performance across four key dimensions: reliability, reach, relevance and resilience.
UPU Deputy Director General Pascal Clivaz opened the award ceremony, which was attended by the local diplomatic corps, representatives from member countries and UPU staff.
“The Integrated Index for Postal Development or ‘2IPD’ clearly shows the state of the sector in an age of digitalization and booming e-commerce. It also shows how the UPU is accompanying Posts in this new world,” said Mr. Clivaz.
Switzerland’s balanced performance, including top volume per capita and a well-diversified portfolio, earned the country the top spot for a second year.
“This award reflects our logistics service performance not only in Switzerland, but around the world. This award motivates us very much to go ahead with this quick pace and to show up again on the same page of competitors next year,” said Swiss Post’s Head of PostLogistics, Dieter Bambauer, who accepted the award on behalf of Switzerland.
Mr. Bambauer also acknowledged the contribution of the operator’s 60,000 staff in achieving the high score.
Its delivery speed and interconnectedness with international partners won Netherlands second place, with Japan receiving a third-place award thanks to its high customer demand and service quality.
The Deputy Director General congratulated the top three for their “reliable, well-connected, relevant and resilient postal services.”
Regional top-scorers were also recognized during the ceremony. Poland (ranked 6th), Singapore (ranked 7th), Brazil (ranked 44th), Tunisia (ranked 49th) and Nigeria (ranked 51st), each received certificates for a standout performance in their respective regions.
Source: https://www.ipc.be/news-portal/general-news/2018/10/09
Landmark Agreement Enables Australia Post To Continue To Provide Banking Services
October 8, 2018
The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) has signed a five-year commitment to support critical investment in Australia Post’s Bank@Post service.
This is a landmark agreement in the history of Australia Post and will help ensure all Australians can continue to use Post Offices across the nation to access important financial services.
The partnership includes CBA contributing a new annual Community Representation Fee of $22 million and revised transaction fees.
This partnership enables Australia Post to invest in the Post Office network in order to help provide safe, reliable banking services, ensure our Licensed Post Office partners will be paid appropriately and support the future prosperity of many communities.
Australia Post’s Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Christine Holgate said “I am extremely appreciative that the nation’s largest bank has taken a lead position in supporting Australia Post.
This investment will not only help save a critical service in Post Offices serving the communities of Australia, it saves jobs and supports the financial viability of our local Post Office partners,”
“The agreement ensures customers will be able to access withdrawal, deposit, balance enquiries and passbook services at more than 3500 Post Offices across the country. Approximately 30,000 CBA customers use Bank@Post every day.”
There are 1550 communities across Australia, predominantly in rural and regional Australia, who today have no bank branch. The citizens and small businesses of these communities depend on Australia Post to provide access to financial services through the Bank@Post service in their local Post Office.
Without this service these communities face significant economic and social challenges. Recent research by Deloitte Access Economics highlighted the important role Post Offices play in local communities. In fact, with every role Australia Post employs in rural and regional Australia, two more jobs are created in the economy.
Today Australia Post loses money operating the service and does not have the funds to subsidise this service further or make the critical investment needed. Many of Australia Post’s local Post Offices are operated by Licensed Post Office partners, who as small businesses, do not have the capital investment needed.
Without support, Australia Post risked either suspending the service or closing some community Post Offices, which would have hurt communities and cost jobs.
“Matt Comyn and the CBA team have shown strong leadership on this issue and a real commitment to ensuring the prosperity of communities that rely on our Post Offices. I would also like to thank both the Treasurer, The Hon. Josh Frydenberg MP for his support and acknowledgment that all Australians should have ongoing access to banking services, and Mark Korda from Korda Mentha who has supported our discussions,” Ms Holgate said.
“Importantly, this agreement will allow Australia Post to increase Bank@Post base transaction payments to our hardworking Post Office licensees by approximately 50 per cent from January 1st 2019, as well as investing in infrastructure including technology and security upgrades, and local marketing. Additionally, we will increase the annual minimum payment to licensees by 25 per cent.
Source : https://postandparcel.info/98494/news/sustainability
No 82 -2018
Formulated by UNI Apro Post and Logistics Sector
Our Union Will Deliver Pension and Social Assistance Cheques, and Ensure Safety of Live Animals in the Event of a Lockout or Strike. October 10, 2018.
Swiss Post begins building new regional parcel center in Vétroz (Valais). October 8, 2018.
The parcel has finally been passed. October 8, 2018.
Hermes Likely To Introduce Electric Vans Nationwide. October 5, 2018.
Royal Mail launches app to help consumers manage deliveries. October 5, 2018.
Our Union Will Deliver Pension and Social Assistance Cheques, and Ensure Safety of Live Animals in the Event of a Lockout or Strike
October 10 2018
Our public post office distributes government cheques that are a fundamental part of the social safety net. We do not want pensioners and those with low-income to suffer if the union is locked out or forced to strike. After all, our dispute over contract issues should be directed at Canada Post, not the most vulnerable members of our society. In addition, your union wants to make sure that live animals are not trapped in the mail system during a work disruption, as they were in 2011.
CUPW has therefore negotiated two agreements with Canada Post to ensure the delivery of many government cheques and the safety of live animals in the event of a lockout or strike. One agreement covers Rural and Suburban Mail Carriers (RSMC) members and the other is for Urban Operations members.
Highlights of the agreements:
There would be up to two national days of delivery each month.
Your local would recruit volunteers as required.
As in 1997, 2011 and 2016, volunteers would receive a $50.00 honorarium. Legal experts have advised us that the honorarium may be necessary to protect members who file workers' compensation claims.
RSMC volunteers would also receive 52 cents per kilometer driven.
The agreements are very similar to those we signed in 1997, 2011 and 2016, and the one negotiated but not used in 2003. In 2016, we added the provision relating to live animals.
Members who sort or deliver cheques while their local is locked out or on strike would be able to use these days to qualify for strike pay.
In the event that a lockout or strike sets these agreements in motion, please consider donating any honorarium received to charity. CUPW does not provide services during work disruptions for the money.
Source : https://www.cupw.ca/en
Swiss Post begins building new regional parcel center in Vétroz (Valais)
October 8, 2018
Construction of the new regional parcel center in Vétroz (Valais) began today with the symbolic groundbreaking ceremony. This regional parcel center enables Swiss Post to invest in the Canton of Valais and demonstrates its commitment to the country’s peripheral regions. Two further parcel centers are planned for Cadenazzo (Ticino) and Untervaz (Graubünden), which will allow parcels to be processed directly within the region. This will shorten transport times and ensure that parcels from other centers are processed more quickly.
In May 2020, Swiss Post will start operations at the second of the three new regional parcel centers: the Botza site in Vétroz, covering 25,000 m2. The general contractor is Roux Courtage Immobilier Sàrl. Vétroz was chosen as the location due to its central position in the Canton of Valais and good motorway access. An additional advantage of this site is that it is located on an industrial estate without any residential zones nearby. The facility will have a sorting capacity of 8,000 parcels per hour. The logistics centers in Bex, Brig, Siders and Sion will be merged into this single center, with staff from these facilities transferring to the new site.
Shorter distances – faster consignment processing
Vétroz is one of three decentralized locations envisaged for completion by 2020. The new regional parcel centers will be linked by a direct transport network. This means that parcels sorted and delivered in Valais will no longer need to take a detour via Daillens (Vaud). “This investment of over CHF 50 million is highly significant,” says Ulrich Hurni, CEO of Swiss Post. “The direct transport network will relieve strain not only on existing parcel centers, but also on the transport infrastructure throughout Switzerland. Vétroz will be linked to existing infrastructure via direct connections. This will enhance the quality of service experienced by our business customers by allowing longer posting times.” For Valais Cantonal Councillor Christophe Darbellay, Head of the Department of Economic Affairs and Education, the merger of logistics locations in Vétroz satisfies the growing demands on efficiency due to the rapid increase in parcel volumes: “This investment in a new sorting center will enhance the quality of public services in our canton.”
Swiss Post as the driving power behind innovation in the Swiss parcels market
Swiss Post recognized the potential of online retail many years ago and adapted its logistics business with this in mind. It has continually expanded its range of parcel services over the past few years by advancing innovations in the Swiss parcels market. Last year, Swiss Post processed almost 130 million parcels, which represents growth of 6.2% year-on-year. The construction of new regional parcel centers in Vétroz, Cadenazzo (Ticino) and Untervaz (Graubünden) by 2020 is an important step in meeting growing parcel volumes and customer requirements, now and in the years to come. Swiss Post also plans to open further parcel centers in other regions, but the number and location of the new centers have not yet been finalized.
Source : https://www.post.ch/en/about-us/company/media/press-releases/2018
The parcel has finally been passed
October 8, 2018
Pass My Parcel’s future has been decided: it will become part of DHL Parcel UK. Will this make the network more competitive? And who is the wildcard in the UK PUDO segment? Ian Kerr (Postal Hub Podcast) and Marek Różycki (Last Mile Experts) analyze the announcement and the sector.
It’s official: Deutsche Post DHL (via its UK Mail subsidiary) is taking over the Pass My Parcel PUDO network in the UK. UK Mail is also changing – it is now DHL Parcel UK. And that might be a hint of what is in store for the Pass My Parcel (PMP) network.
So, what can we expect?
Size of network
DHL Parcel UK’s German parent operates a significant domestic network of post offices (almost all of which are partner-operated), a 3,400-strong parcel locker network, and a massive network of PUDO points, called Paketshops.
Paketshops are simple PUDO points, co-located with a host business. There are about 10,000 Paketshops across Germany, giving Deutsche Post DHL an unrivaled reach.
The Paketshops can handle failed first-time deliveries as well as click-and-collect, so the Germans know a thing or two about out-of-home delivery.
Technology
One of the striking things about Paketshops is the simple technology solution. Each Paketshop has two devices: a cell phone that functions as a barcode scanner and sends scan data back to Deutsche Post’s track-and-trace systems via a mobile data connection; and a compact printer. These two devices take up minimal space on the Paketshop counter.
The counter technology solution is very easy to set up, with minimal operator training required. Also, once fully interfaced with UK Mail, PMP will not need to spend time and money interfacing with each individual e-commerce client.
Competition
Germany is a competitive delivery market, with other carriers harboring ambitions to rival Deutsche Post DHL’s network in terms of reach, density and ubiquity.
Similarly, the UK delivery market is competitive, with PUDO networks scrambling for supremacy and strong players in the form of Yodel/Collect+ and PayPoint – which, following its conscious uncoupling from Yodel, means it could go carrier agnostic. Then of course there’s the Post Office’s own national network.
UPS currently has a modest PUDO network, but will they settle for that? After all, UPS was one of the first to enter this area with its acquisition of Kiala (then a network of about 7,000 PUDOs in Benelux, France and Spain) in 2012.
Then there’s Hermes and its substantial B2C proposition in the UK, including the second-largest PUDO network and thousands of lifestyle couriers – and it’s for sale! This is set to disrupt the balance of power in UK and Germany, whoever buys them.
As for FedEx/TNT, who were never really strong in B2C, who knows?
Branding
DHL is a strong brand and is arguably better suited to parcel delivery than Smiths News Trading Limited, the newspaper and magazine wholesaler which previously owned PMP. Having said that, some PUDO networks are pushing to become carrier agnostic, which is a smart move in our view. If PMP becomes DHL then that will be harder to achieve.
Conclusion
It is good news for newsagents offering PMP that the service will be maintained, and customers will benefit from the continuing density of PUDOs. Whether this will be good news for DHL will depend on how they manage this business – including its IT systems.
Could DHL Parcel UK have the right relationships and experience to build PMP into a real force? Critical mass is a key issue for any PUDO network and here PMP’s new owners should be able to help.
So it looks like the UK could become a battleground between the three major European posts: La Poste/DPD, Royal Mail/Post Office, and Deutsche Post DHL, with UPS and Hermes the wildcards. Then of course there’s Amazon, waiting in the wings. Good news for e-commerce customers, and exciting times for the UK PUDO sector.
Source : https://www.postalandparceltechnologyinternational.com
Hermes Likely To Introduce Electric Vans Nationwide
October 5, 2018
Hermes could introduce electric vans fleets across the country according to motortransport.co.uk, after successfully running a fleet of them in London during the past months.
The parcels firm has had 32 Nissan eNV200 vans working on multi-drop deliveries within London’s Congestion Charge zone for the last two months.
Speaking to motortransport.co.uk Hugo Martin, director of legal and public affairs at Hermes, said there is “quite a high likelihood” that the company will now bring electric vans into use in other UK cities.
“We know that the London mayor’s transport strategy is clearly leading the way in the clean air debate. Setting very strict requirements for logistics companies like ours delivering into central London.
“There’s conversations going on in Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, Southampton – so there’s lots of areas in the country that are starting to look at the clean air issue, so we do think that this is a model that might well get replicated,” he said.
Source : https://postandparcel.info/98488/news
Royal Mail launches app to help consumers manage deliveries
October 5, 2018
Royal Mail’s new mobile app helps consumers to easily manage their Royal Mail deliveries
The app provides the capabilities to track items, book redeliveries, find Customer Service Points and look up addresses
More enhancements will be made to the app over the coming months to make it even easier for recipients to manage their deliveries
Royal Mail has launched a new mobile app to help consumers manage their deliveries more effectively. The app is now available for download for free on both the App Store and Google Play store.
The new app enables consumers to easily track their items from their smartphone. If a reference number is provided, recipients can check the progress of their deliveries.
There is also an option to book a redelivery, if it has not been possible to deliver an item. Recipients can arrange for a redelivery to their address, neighbour or a local Post Office and this can all be booked via the app.
Within the app, users can enter a postcode to find the nearest Customer Service Point including address, opening hours and facilities. There is also a postcode and address finder for users unsure of an address. By entering in the postcode or part of the address, Royal Mail will help to find the full address details.
More enhancements will be made to the app over the coming months to make it even easier for recipients to manage their deliveries.
A spokesperson for Royal Mail said “The new Royal Mail app is helping recipients to manage their deliveries more effectively, providing all the information they need at their fingertips. We will be looking to load the app with even more functionality over the coming months. This latest enhancement is part of a programme of innovation making Royal Mail’s services more accessible, convenient and digitally enabled for all.”
Source : https://www.royalmailgroup.com/en/press-centre/press-releases
POSTAL NEWS
No 83 -2018
Formulated by UNI Apro Post and Logistics Sector
State-sanctioned wage dumping in the postal market. October 11, 2018.
Toshiba unveils robotic logistics system at POST-EXPO 2018. October 10, 2018.
US Mail Is #NotForSale: Postal Workers Nationwide Stand Together Against Trump's Privatization Plan. October 9, 2018.
UPU celebrates postal development on World Post Day. October 9, 2018.
Landmark Agreement Enables Australia Post To Continue To Provide Banking Services. October 8, 2018.
State-sanctioned wage dumping in the postal market
October 11, 2018
The minimum wages set by PostCom are state-approved wage dumping and will fuel wage dumping in the postal market. With the adoption of these minimum standards, PostCom itself disqualifies itself. It does not take the protection of employees into account, but actually provides a boost with the "dumping minimum wage" and poor working conditions. The regulator should therefore delegate the authority to establish minimum standards to a tripartite commission.
PostCom is today communicating the entry into force of the Regulation on minimum standards for working conditions in the postal sector. The regulatory authority of the postal market sets a uniform minimum wage of CHF 18.27. This is far too deep and attacks today's industry-standard wages. Although PostCom claims to have involved the social partners. There was indeed a consultation, but the views and concerns of the unions were not taken into account in any way.
The methods used by PostCom to establish sector standard practice are not in line with the accepted minimum wage methodology, as used for example in tripartite commissions. This has repeatedly signaled syndicom, but was always ignored by the authority.
Defining standards rather than legitimizing low wages
Although PostCom relies on reliable and comprehensible figures. But she interprets this wrong. It is based on setting a minimum wage at the lowest level in the industry. Instead, PostCom should, in accordance with its mandate, set minimum standards in the industry, those that meet industry standards. And standard does not mean underpinning the lowest pay level.
Labor refusal
PostCom refuses to take their order seriously. It legitimizes the lowest wages paid in the industry. This has fatal consequences for the wage development of this industry. In particular, it enables new competitors who are already announcing themselves in this growth market to compete for wages. In addition, PostCom proves that it has not understood the function of "industry custom" and disqualifies itself.
The union syndicom will combat these arbitrary minimum wages and defend against the fact that competition in the postal market is carried out on the back of the workers.
Source : https://syndicom.ch/aktuell/artikel
Toshiba unveils robotic logistics system at POST-EXPO 2018.
October 10, 2018.
Toshiba Infrastructure Systems & Solutions Corporation (TISS) is demonstrating its horizontal multi-axis SCARA (Selective Compliance Assembly Robot Arm) robot at POST-EXPO 2018.
The robot is an automated packet induction system with functionality of random picking, address side detection. It comprises of an intelligent, horizontal multi-axis automated induction system that operates without any need for prior motion programming and teaching.
Robotic logistics systems are in increasingly high demand in the form of solutions for dealing with the surge in deliveries of small parcels. This is the result of continuing worldwide growth in the e-commerce market.
Hidetaka Kojima, senior fellow, security and automation systems division at Toshiba, said, “SCARA uses AI technology within its software to help it operate. The robot has the capability to pick up all shaped and sized items, lifting them using the same technology utilized by car manufacturers.”
TISS’s experience and engineering capabilities in areas including image recognition, mechatronics, control regulation and IT systems, have positioned the company as a global supplier of postal automation systems. TISS is now enhancing robotic systems to support postal and logistics systems and is directing resources to address the challenges faced by the industry.
Source : https://www.postalandparceltechnologyinternational.com/news/expo
US Mail Is #NotForSale: Postal Workers Nationwide Stand Together Against Trump's Privatization Plan
October 09, 2018
"Our postal system has never belonged to any president, any political party, or any company. It's belonged to the people of this country."
As the United States Postal Service (USPS) closed on Monday for a national holiday celebrated by many municipalities as Indigenous Peoples Day, workers across the country held a day of action to protest President Donald Trump's proposal to privatize the postal service.
Under the proposal—unveiled in June as part of a 32-point plan (pdf) to significantly reorganize the federal government—USPS would "transition to a model of private management and private or shared ownership." The White House argued that "freeing USPS to more fully negotiate pay and benefits rather than prescribing participation in costly federal personnel benefit programs, and allowing it to follow private sector practices in compensation and labor relations, could further reduce costs."
Critics warn that such a transition would not only negatively impact service but also bring awful consequences for postal workers, who demonstrated on their day off in cities across the United States on Monday to tell the president that USPS is #NotForSale.
"Postal workers are rallying to urge lawmakers to stop the selling off of the public postal service for private profit—and to remind everyone the Postal Service is yours," Julie Bates, a 22-year postal worker, wrote last week.
Pointing to similar moves by other countries—including the United Kingdom—as cautionary tales, Bates warned that if USPS is sold off to private interests, the public should anticipate "higher prices, slower delivery, and an end to universal, uniform, and affordable service to every corner of the country."
While recognizing that the national mail service has faced problems in recent years, as Bates explained:
The truth is that the USPS's problems were largely created by Congress.
A bipartisan 2006 law, the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act, mandated that the USPS pre-fund future retiree health benefits 75 years into the future. That means we have to fund retirement benefits for postal employees who haven't even been born yet.
It's a crushing burden that no other agency or company—public or private—is required to meet, or could even survive.
Some Democratic members of Congress—including Sen. Dick Durbin (Ill.) as well as Reps. Grace Meng (N.Y.) and Dwight Evans (Penn.)—joined demonstrations in their states :
"Our postal system is older than the country itself. It was a vital component of our country's public good then. It still is today," Bates concluded. "And along the way, one fundamental fact has always been true: Our postal system has never belonged to any president, any political party, or any company. It's belonged to the people of this country.” Source : https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/10/09
UPU celebrates postal development on World Post Day
October 9, 2018
The Universal Postal Union (UPU) today presented awards to the top-ranking countries in its comparative development index, with Switzerland taking first prize in an awards ceremony hosted at UPU’s Berne, Switzerland, headquarters on World Post Day.
The Integrated Index for Postal Development (2IPD), which was released earlier this year, is a comparative index providing an overview of postal development around the world, using UPU’s unparalleled collection of postal big data to create a ranking of 173 countries. It benchmarks performance across four key dimensions: reliability, reach, relevance and resilience.
UPU Deputy Director General Pascal Clivaz opened the award ceremony, which was attended by the local diplomatic corps, representatives from member countries and UPU staff.
“The Integrated Index for Postal Development or ‘2IPD’ clearly shows the state of the sector in an age of digitalization and booming e-commerce. It also shows how the UPU is accompanying Posts in this new world,” said Mr. Clivaz.
Switzerland’s balanced performance, including top volume per capita and a well-diversified portfolio, earned the country the top spot for a second year.
“This award reflects our logistics service performance not only in Switzerland, but around the world. This award motivates us very much to go ahead with this quick pace and to show up again on the same page of competitors next year,” said Swiss Post’s Head of PostLogistics, Dieter Bambauer, who accepted the award on behalf of Switzerland.
Mr. Bambauer also acknowledged the contribution of the operator’s 60,000 staff in achieving the high score.
Its delivery speed and interconnectedness with international partners won Netherlands second place, with Japan receiving a third-place award thanks to its high customer demand and service quality.
The Deputy Director General congratulated the top three for their “reliable, well-connected, relevant and resilient postal services.”
Regional top-scorers were also recognized during the ceremony. Poland (ranked 6th), Singapore (ranked 7th), Brazil (ranked 44th), Tunisia (ranked 49th) and Nigeria (ranked 51st), each received certificates for a standout performance in their respective regions.
Source: https://www.ipc.be/news-portal/general-news/2018/10/09
Landmark Agreement Enables Australia Post To Continue To Provide Banking Services
October 8, 2018
The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) has signed a five-year commitment to support critical investment in Australia Post’s Bank@Post service.
This is a landmark agreement in the history of Australia Post and will help ensure all Australians can continue to use Post Offices across the nation to access important financial services.
The partnership includes CBA contributing a new annual Community Representation Fee of $22 million and revised transaction fees.
This partnership enables Australia Post to invest in the Post Office network in order to help provide safe, reliable banking services, ensure our Licensed Post Office partners will be paid appropriately and support the future prosperity of many communities.
Australia Post’s Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Christine Holgate said “I am extremely appreciative that the nation’s largest bank has taken a lead position in supporting Australia Post.
This investment will not only help save a critical service in Post Offices serving the communities of Australia, it saves jobs and supports the financial viability of our local Post Office partners,”
“The agreement ensures customers will be able to access withdrawal, deposit, balance enquiries and passbook services at more than 3500 Post Offices across the country. Approximately 30,000 CBA customers use Bank@Post every day.”
There are 1550 communities across Australia, predominantly in rural and regional Australia, who today have no bank branch. The citizens and small businesses of these communities depend on Australia Post to provide access to financial services through the Bank@Post service in their local Post Office.
Without this service these communities face significant economic and social challenges. Recent research by Deloitte Access Economics highlighted the important role Post Offices play in local communities. In fact, with every role Australia Post employs in rural and regional Australia, two more jobs are created in the economy.
Today Australia Post loses money operating the service and does not have the funds to subsidise this service further or make the critical investment needed. Many of Australia Post’s local Post Offices are operated by Licensed Post Office partners, who as small businesses, do not have the capital investment needed.
Without support, Australia Post risked either suspending the service or closing some community Post Offices, which would have hurt communities and cost jobs.
“Matt Comyn and the CBA team have shown strong leadership on this issue and a real commitment to ensuring the prosperity of communities that rely on our Post Offices. I would also like to thank both the Treasurer, The Hon. Josh Frydenberg MP for his support and acknowledgment that all Australians should have ongoing access to banking services, and Mark Korda from Korda Mentha who has supported our discussions,” Ms Holgate said.
“Importantly, this agreement will allow Australia Post to increase Bank@Post base transaction payments to our hardworking Post Office licensees by approximately 50 per cent from January 1st 2019, as well as investing in infrastructure including technology and security upgrades, and local marketing. Additionally, we will increase the annual minimum payment to licensees by 25 per cent.
Source : https://postandparcel.info/98494/news/sustainability